Review Source: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 24, No. 480 (Feb. 1, 1883), p. 95 Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3356382 Accessed: 10-04-2016 11:17 UTC

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This content downloaded from 134.121.40.11 on Sun, 10 Apr 2016 11:17:45 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms THE MUSICAL TIMES.-FEBRUARY I, 1883. former instance may, however, be easily accounted for by a Merchant of Venice "-is now published, as it was first judicious desire to avoid, in a historical work, the field of sung, for male voices, in the "Orpheus" (new series), polemics into which a reference to Wagner would have in- and also arranged for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass in evitably led an author whose artistic principles are known " Novello's Part-Song Book." In either of these forms it to be distinctly at variance with those promulgated by will be equally acceptable; for, apart from its melodious- the Bayreuth master. Dr. Reissmann's primary object was ness and thorough sympathy with the words, it presents no to describe "the life and the works" of Gluck; and, undue difficulties for an ordinarily well-trained choir. As although more successful in respect to the latter, his book, we hear that Signor Pinsuti and Mr. Tours have presented as a whole, and in its compact form, undoubtedly supplies their contributions to the fund for which the dramatic a want in the existing literature of the subject. The performance was organised, we have a double reason for volume is tastefully printed, and is adorned with a steel hoping that both these part-songs will attain the popularity engraving presenting the strikingly handsome features of which certainly on their own intrinsic merits they de- the great reformer to the best advantage. serve. Christ is risen from the dead. Full Easy Anthem for Easter. Composed by E. A. Sydenham. [Novello, Ewer, and Co.] FOREIGN NOTES. WE have not too many new anthems for Easter of a melo- ACCORDING to an interesting statistical notice published dious and easy nature, so that the above is doubly welcome, in German journals, there have been 103 performances from as it is an attractive and effective composition, presenting August 23 to December 31 last year at the Berlin Opera very few difficulties either for choir or organist. It opens House, which were distributed as follows:-Gluck, " Der with a short introductory phrase, which is immediately betrogene Kadi" (3), "Iphigdnie en Tauride "'(2), "Alceste" followed by a very melodious movement in 6-8 time. An (I), " Armida" (I); Beethoven, " Fidelio " (4) ; Mozart, easy Allegro, to the words " Even so in Christ shall all be " Figaro " (5), " Don Giovanni " (3), "Schauspieldirektor " made alive," brings the anthem to an effective termination. (2)," Zauberflbte " (2), "Titus " (2); Weber, " Freischiitz" No great originality is displayed in this composition, but a (3), " Euryanthe" (3), " Oberon" () ; Meyerbeer, "Afri- tuneful and modest spirit pervades the whole. caine " (2), " Prophet" (2),!" Roberto " (2), " Huguenots" () ; Wagner, " Lohengrin " (5), " Tannhdiuser" (3), " Der Reeves's Musical Directory for 1883, with a Calendar. fliegende Holklinder" (2), "Meistersinger" (2), "Tristan [William Reeves.] und Isolde " (i); Brill, " Das goldene Kreuz " (3); Gold- THIS Directory fully maintains its character; but al- mark, " K6nigin von Saba " (3); Goetz, " Taming of the though the editor says in his preface that he has been Shrew" (4); Nicolai, "Merry Wives" (5); Kreutzer, enabled to use " some of the suggestions" offered for its " Nachtlager von Granada " (3) ; Spontini, " Cortez " (i) ; improvement, we find that the names of those who adver- Lortzing, " Czar und Zimmermann " (2), "Der Wild- tise are still printed in the Trade Directory in larger type schiltz" (i); Perfall, " Raimondin" (4) ; Cherubini, than the rest. As we mentioned this in our notice of the " Wassertriger" (r); Boieldieu, "1Johann von Paris " (i); issue for last year, therefore, we may conclude that this Auber, " La Muette" (i), "Der schwarze Domino " (i); feature is considered worth preserving. Halvy, "Juive" (i) ; Gounod, "Faust " (4) ; Thomas, " Mignon " (2); Bizet, " Carmen " (6); Rossini, " Barbier Six Vocal Sketches. By E. C. Gregory. von Sevilla" (3) ; Verdi, " Aida " (3), " Trovatore " (2). [Novello, Ewer and Co.] A Symphony, the youthful production of Richard THE Sketches are unequal in merit, but the composer Wagner, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its existence throughout shows much sympathy with the words she has in December last at Venice, where the master is spending chosen. The general fault is over-elaboration in the har- the winter months, and where it was performed before a monies; and an obvious desire to gain contrast by change private circle as a surprise to his wife, Frau Cosima. In of key only seems often to mar the sequence of thought a letter addressed to the editor of the Musikalisches which might arise with less effort. This is especially Wochenblatt (a translation of which will be found in our observable in the song " Growing on a Grave," and also contemporary The Mfusical Review) the composer gives an in " Changes," where the restlessness of the tonality, interesting account of the work and its history, much though partially justified by the text, makes the piece curiosity being excited in the musical world to become appear laboured. No. I, "Rondel "; No. 2, " The Hollow acquainted with this early production of the Bayreuth Oak "-which contains an effective modulation from G reformer. minor into the tonic major-and No. 4, " A sunny shaft did Dr. Hans von Billow has, it is stated, resumed his I behold," may be commended as good vocal pieces; and activity as conductor of the Meiningen orchestra, having musician-like feeling is so decisively evidenced, even in almost completely recovered from an illness, the serious those songs to which we have taken exception, that we nature of which has been much exaggerated. shall be glad to welcome Miss Gregory on a future A new opera, " Gudrun," by Herr Klughardt, met with occasion. an enthusiastic reception last month at Dessau, where it was produced under the direction of the composer. The Three Rhapsodies for the Pianoforte. By Walter Wesche. [S. Sprague and Co.] work is likewise in course of preparation at the Berlin Opera House. Herr Klughardt, who is a disciple of the IT would be indeed difficult to award especial praise to "New-German " school, has already become favourably any one of these three Rhapsodies, for they are all excel- known in Germany by his opera " Iwein " and other com- lent both in subject and treatment. No. I, " Capricieuse," positions, chiefly for orchestra. is a charmingly fresh movement, the vague commencement, The A llgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, the oldest German determined on its repetition by the addition of the C sharp to music journal, founded in 1798 by the firm of Breitkopf the chord of the seventh, being a point worthy of much com- und Hrtel, of Leipzig, ceased to exist with the end of mendation. No. 2, " Romantique," is melodious through- last year. The journal had been edited for some years past out, and touched with the refinement of an artist who has by Herr Chrysander, the well known Handel biographer. long dared to think out of the conventional groove. No. 3, Herr Edward Lassen, the excellent conductor of the " Hroique," so thoroughly characteristic and spirited as Grand Ducal Orchestra, at Weimar, has just celebrated to ensure general acceptance, forms a worthy climax to a the twenty-fifth anniversary of his activity at that institu- group of pieces which require but to be known to be appre- tion. Amongst other distinctions conferred upon him on ciated, both by performers and teachers. the occasion, he has been presented with the Doctor's diploma, honoris causa, of the University of Jena. Hymn to Cynthia. A Four-part Song. Poetry by Ben We read in the Allgemeine Deutsche Musik Zeitung: Jonson. Composed by Berthold Tours. " One of the curiosities of musical Berlin is the ' Music- [Novello, Ewer and Co.] Bourse.' Any one requiring the services of musicians, THIS composition - especially written, like Signor from an entire orchestra down to a pianoforte player, will Pinsuti's part-song " Tell me, where is Fancy bred ? " (re- have his written or personal application immediately cently noticed), for an amateur performance of "The attended to here. The Bourse is held daily, between

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